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Birthstones by Month: Every Month's Stone and Color

By Digital Towns Crystals ยท Last reviewed October 6, 2026

Short answer: each month has one or more birthstones. In the United States the list is January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine and bloodstone, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, spinel and sardonyx, September sapphire, October opal and tourmaline, November topaz and citrine, and December turquoise, zircon and tanzanite.

What are the birthstones for each month?

This is the modern list used in the United States, maintained by the jewelry trade. Several months have more than one stone, which gives a choice of color and price.

Month Birthstones Typical colors
January Garnet Deep red, also orange, green and other colors
February Amethyst Purple
March Aquamarine, bloodstone Pale sea blue; dark green with red spots
April Diamond Colorless, also fancy colors
May Emerald Green
June Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite White and cream; glowing white to blue; color-change green to red
July Ruby Red
August Peridot, spinel, sardonyx Yellow-green; many colors, often red and pink; banded red-brown and white
September Sapphire Blue, also other colors
October Opal, tourmaline Play of color; pink and many other colors
November Topaz, citrine Golden yellow to orange, also blue topaz; yellow to orange
December Turquoise, zircon, tanzanite Sky blue to green; blue; violet-blue

Detailed guides for each month are linked in the table. The moonstone guide and the amethyst guide cover two of these stones in depth.

Where did birthstones come from?

The idea is old. The first-century historian Josephus saw a connection between the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron, described in the Book of Exodus, the twelve months of the year and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Over the centuries, many lists followed, and they varied widely, partly because ancient names for stones do not always match the minerals we use those names for today.

The modern list is much more recent:

  • 1912: the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, met in Kansas City and adopted a standard list for the United States.
  • 1952: the list was updated, adding alexandrite for June, citrine for November and pink tourmaline for October, and replacing December's lapis lazuli with zircon.
  • 2002: tanzanite was added as a December birthstone.
  • 2016: spinel was added as an additional birthstone for August.

Modern lists have little to do with the ancient breastplate. They reflect trade practice, availability and taste.

Do birthstones differ by country?

Yes. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths set its own list in 1937 and has revised it since. The UK list differs in places: it offers rock crystal for April, chrysoprase for May, carnelian for July, lapis lazuli for September and tanzanite with turquoise for December, among other differences. Older traditional lists differ again.

If a stone matters to you for a particular reason, any of the traditional or alternative stones for your month is a reasonable choice.

What are birthstones traditionally associated with?

Birthstones are worn as personal symbols: a stone tied to your birth month, given at birthdays and to mark new babies, anniversaries and family milestones. Many cultures have also held that wearing your month's stone brings good fortune. Each stone carries its own traditions, covered on the month pages.

These are customs and beliefs rather than properties of the stones. They are why birthstones are given, and they are part of their charm.

How do you choose a birthstone?

  • Durability matters for rings. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, topaz and spinel are hard and tough. Opal, pearl, turquoise and moonstone are softer or more fragile and suit pendants and earrings better.
  • Months with several stones give choices of color, look and budget. June, for example, ranges from pearl to moonstone to color-change alexandrite.
  • Ask about treatments. Many birthstones are routinely treated. Most blue topaz is colorless topaz that has been irradiated and heated, most tanzanite and blue zircon are heated, and turquoise is often stabilized with resin. A good seller tells you.

How are birthstones used in jewelry?

Birthstone jewelry often combines several stones: a mother's ring or necklace with each child's birthstone, or a stacking set of rings. Because months with several stones have different hardness and colors, it helps to check that each stone suits the way the piece will be worn.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do some months have more than one birthstone?

The modern list was updated over time to add alternatives, often to offer a more affordable or more available stone, or a different color. June, August, October, November and December each have more than one.

Who decides the official birthstones?

There is no single authority. In the United States the list was set by the jewelry trade in 1912 and updated in 1952, 2002 and 2016. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths keeps its own list.

What is the rarest birthstone?

Rarity depends on quality more than on the month. Tanzanite stands out because it is mined commercially in only one place, the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania. At the other end, most citrine sold today is heat-treated amethyst, which keeps it widely available and affordable.

Can I wear a birthstone that is not mine?

Yes. Birthstones are a tradition, not a rule. Many people wear stones for their color, for a loved one's birth month or simply because they like them.

What is the birthstone for each zodiac sign?

Zodiac stones are a separate tradition from birth month stones, and the lists vary between sources. The birth month list above is the one used by jewelers.

Sources